SMALLER THAN BEN HUR!

- The Swords&Sandals Games series has been played over 3 million times -

- Over a million people turn to Fizzy.com for their entertainment every month -

SYDNEY, Australia - December 17, 2008

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3RD Sense, which operates the successful play platform Fizzy.com, and develops games and online apps for consumers and innovative brands worldwide, today announced the release of Swords&Sandals III : Multiplae Ultratus, the latest instalment in the world's most popular online gladiator game.

Swords&Sandals III, is a rich and engaging role playing game where players build a gladiator from the ground up, and do battle against each other online. Players shape both the look of their character and its attributes to develop the ultimate professional warrior.

Humour continues to be a drawcard for players of the series. Gladiators are just as likely to do battle with an electric guitar as they are with a mace or cutlass. This has seen the series played over 3 million times. Devotees include teenagers, women, business men and tweens. The popularity of the games can be seen from the more than 750 related videos posted to YouTube.

The features and fun woven into the fabric of Swords&Sandals III took around twelve months to develop. The flash-based online game has a cavernous amount of detail. There are 75 character levels to the game, with 1000's of weapon options to be collected and almost unlimited number of character permutations. Enough to give all players, experienced or new, plenty to "Russell Crowe" about in their quest to have a bout of fun!

Challenge Your Friends!

Swords&Sandals III will be the first game in the series to feature the ability to challenge other players from around the world to online battles. It is a Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game that allows visitors to engage in a community while playing. Fans recognise each other by their saved character profiles and can communicate via online chat.

Swords&Sandals III will be released today on Fizzy.com, the most vibrant online games community for anyone who is passionate about play. Fizzy.com is one of the fastest growing communities on the web when it comes to online games with more than 245,000 global members from all walks of life and all ages. In addition to this the site attracts one million visitors each month who come to play and participate.

Are you ready to become the ultimate gladiator?

INTERVIEW QUOTES / Colin Cardwell, CEO for 3RD Sense:

"With Swords&Sandals III we have responded to the call of fans to make the game multiplayer and deliver them the fun of social interaction while playing their favourite game. People love the idea of challenging each other for a more engaging and rewarding type of entertainment."

"Playing games against your friends online has become hugely popular. We saw an opening in the market for a game that delivered maximum fun at the right level. Swords&Sandals III: Multiplae Ultratus sits in the sweet spot between the complexity of World of Warcraft and the beginners' fun of Club Penguin."

"Swords&Sandals III: Multiplae Ultratus hurls you into the greatest gladiator tournament on the planet. We have spent over a year enhancing the gameplay with this latest instalment. Multiplae Ultratus features exciting new realms to tempt even the most battle hardened players. We have six arenas, including the Caverns of Malice and the Bone Pit, over 50 powerful new spells including 'Requiem of Mourning' and 'Molten Death' and best of all you can now challenge your friends online."

"The humour in Swords&Sandals III: Multiplae Ultratus is intentionally slapstick, it adds to the fun to vanquish your enemy with a dirty guitar riff or a deadly colourful spell. It's similar to the satisfaction of watching the Black Knight lose his limbs in Monty Python. It's silly, but oh so satisfying!"

MULTIMEDIA ELEMENTS:

Game screenshots and spokesperson photographs supporting the story are available for download here:

3RD Sense creates casual games for its Fizzy.com website which is aimed at consumers, advertisers and game developers. The success of the site is reflected in the numbers with over 1 million visitors and 35 million ads served each month, plus a growing member base of over 245,000. Advertisers and game developers are drawn to Fizzy.com because of the large and growing audience, their high levels of engagement with the site and their wide demographic range.

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